Multi-chambered food containers and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

Multi-chambered food containers having and methods of using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a multi-chambered food container having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The second chamber can have a food component stored therein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to packaged food products. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to multi-chambered food containers and methods of using the multi-chambered food containers to produce a food product.

Containers having sub-chambers are used in the medical and pharmaceutical industry to separate pharmaceuticals or drugs that may adversely interact with each other during storage. The pharmaceuticals or drugs can be in a powder or liquid form and are typically mixed together to form a therapeutic solution. Such solutions can include intravenous solutions, drug solutions, enteral solutions, dialysis solutions, and pharmacological agents including gene therapy and chemotherapy agents that may be administered to a patient.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to multi-chambered food containers that can be used for making a food product. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The second chamber has a food component stored therein. In an embodiment, the first chamber is empty.

In an embodiment, the second chamber includes a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders or a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the first chamber is closed on one side by a recloseable seal.

In an embodiment, the recloseable seal is closed on one side by a permanent seal.

In an embodiment, a portion of the permanent seal has at least one notch.

In an embodiment, the first chamber is closed on one side by a second peelable seal.

In an embodiment, the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 1 N/15 mm to about 45 N/15 mm. The peelable seal can also be activated by a force ranging from about 5 N/15 mm to about 35 N/15 mm. The peelable seal can further be activated by a force ranging from about 10 N/15 mm to about 20 N/15 mm. In addition, the peelable seal can be activated by a sustained manual drawing or pressure.

In an embodiment, at least a portion of the peelable seal includes a shape such as, for example, semicircular, rectangular, trapezoidal, polygonal or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal. A peelable seal separates the first and the second chambers. The first chamber has a food base and the second chamber has a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the food base includes meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries or a combination thereof.

In an alternative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of making a food product. The method comprises providing a container having a first chamber and a second chamber with the first chamber closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal. The container also has a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The first chamber is empty and the second chamber includes a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders or a combination thereof. The method further comprises opening the first chamber, placing a food base in the first chamber and closing the food base in the first chamber, and opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises opening the first chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of making a food product. The method comprises providing a container having a first chamber and a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The first chamber has a food base including, for example, meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries or a combination thereof and the second chamber has a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof. The method further comprises opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product, and opening at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer.

An advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-chambered food container for preparing convenient meals.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of preparing a food product.

Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a complete food product having separate components in a single container.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the multi-chambered food container in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the multi-chambered food container in another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to multi-chambered food containers and methods of using the multi-chambered food containers to prepare a food product. The multi-chambered food containers can provide a convenient way of preparing a complete food product having two or more individual components that can be mixed together. The multi-chambered food containers can provide hot or cold food products.

Advantages of the multi-chambered food containers of the present disclosure include allowing a food operator to utilize fewer food items for preparing a final food product that may involve the combination of several food items. The container can be used to mix a sauce and a food base, and the obtained mixture can either be immediately served or stored for future serving in the container. As a result, the food operator is able to offer a variety of foods and different pouches with different sauces without taking up valuable storage and merchandising space because the operator has one complete package for the food base and the sauce in place of separate packages for the food and sauce. The multi-chambered food containers can further eliminate waste from using numerous food packages. Storing food components in one or more chambers of the multi-chambered container preserves freshness and food safety. Preparing a final food product using the multi-chambered food containers can be readily done by a user without any particular skill or advanced training.

In a general embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the present disclosure provides a container 10 including a body 12 defined by a film. The container 10 includes a first chamber 20 and a second chamber 30. Second chamber 30 has a food component 32 stored therein. The food component can be, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders or combinations thereof that can be added to a main food base to form a complete food product. In an embodiment, first chamber 20 is empty.

Container 10 may be made, for example, from two plies of the film that are sealed about the periphery of container 10 at edges 40, 42, 44 and 46 to form outer permanent (cohesive) seals. In the illustrated embodiment, two plies of film (one for each side) are used although additional plies of film can be used. It is also possible to bend a ply of film in two. The size and dimensions of container 10 and chambers 20 and 30 can vary depending on the application. The films can be transparent or translucent thereby allowing a consumer to see what is in chambers 20 and 30, or the film can be opaque.

A peelable (adhesive) seal 50 separates first chamber 20 and second chamber 30. Peelable seal 50 is independently openable by selective application of external pressure to first chamber 20 or second chamber 30. The amount of pressure separately applied to first and second chambers 30 and 40 can control how much component is removed from the chambers. Alternatively, peelable seal 50 can be opened by pulling outwardly the film defining first chamber 20 and second chamber 30.

Peelable seal 50 can be constructed and arranged to allow a precise amount of component to pass through between chambers. For example, a specified portion of peelable seal 50 can open that corresponds to the amount of pressure or force applied to first chamber 20 and/or second chamber 30. In an alternative embodiment, peelable seal 50 can be constructed and arranged in the form of a re-peelable/re-sealable seal that can be closed after a specified amount of food component has been squeezed from their respective chambers.

In an embodiment, container 10 can be generally made by:

-   -   a. Sealing at least two plies of film on three peripheral sides         as discussed above;     -   b. Making the peelable seal by applying a sealable composition         on the internal side of one ply and then sealing the two plies         together by heat-sealing or pressure sealing;     -   c. Placing the sauce in the bottom of the container (e.g. in         second chamber 30; and     -   d. Heat sealing the bottom of the container.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, first chamber 20 can be closed on a side opposite second chamber 30 by a recloseable seal 60. Recloseable seal 60 can be any suitable seal that can be opened and the closed again while providing a good seal in the re-closed position. Recloseable seal 60 can be for example, a zip-locking closure or a sliding zipper type closure. Suitable closures for recloseable seal 60 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,786, 4,285,105, 5,138,750 and 7,029,178, which are incorporated herein by reference.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in an embodiment, recloseable seal 60 can be closed on a side opposite first chamber 20 by a permanent seal 40. A portion of permanent seal 40 can define one or more notches 70. Notches 70 allow a user to more easily tear off permanent seal 40 to access first chamber 20.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the present disclosure provides a container 110 including a body 112 defined by a film. Container 110 includes a first chamber 120 and a second chamber 130. Second chamber 130 has a food component 132 stored therein. First chamber 120 can be empty or filled with a food component.

Container 110 may be made, for example, from two plies of the film that are sealed about the periphery of container 110 at edges 140, 142, 144 and 146 to form outer permanent (cohesive) seals. The films can be transparent or translucent thereby allowing a consumer to see what is in chambers 120 and 130, or the film can be opaque.

A peelable (adhesive) seal 150 separates first chamber 120 and second chamber 130. Peelable seal 150 is independently openable by selective application of external pressure to first chamber 120 or second chamber 130. The amount of pressure separately applied to first and second chambers 130 and 140 can control how much component is removed from the chambers. Alternatively, peelable seal 150 can be opened by pulling outwardly the film defining first chamber 120 and second chamber 130.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, first chamber 120 is closed on one side by a second peelable seal 180. Second peelable seal 180 can be used to keep the contents or space within first chamber 120 fresh or sterile should recloseable seal 160 be breached.

First chamber 120 can be closed on a side opposite second chamber 130 by a recloseable seal 160. Recloseable seal 160 can be any suitable seal that can be opened and the closed again while providing a good seal in the re-closed position. Recloseable seal 160 can be for example, a zip-locking closure or a sliding zipper type closure. Recloseable seal 160 can be closed on a side opposite first chamber 120 by permanent seal 140. A portion of permanent seal 140 can define one or more notches 170.

The multi-chambered containers in alternative embodiments of the present disclosure can be made principally of flexible food grade polymeric materials, although the container could include non-polymeric materials such as metal foils without departing from the disclosure. Numerous polymeric films have been developed for use in containers. Suitable films may be of a monolayer structure or a multiple layer structure. The monolayer structure can be made from a single polymer, or from a polymer blend.

In the illustrated embodiment, any portion of containers 10 or 110 can be made from one or more suitable food grade polymer materials including, for example, polyethylene (“PE”) homopolymers, ethylene α-olefin copolymers, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene (“PP”) homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers, styrene and hydrocarbon random copolymers, styrene and hydrocarbon block copolymers, or combinations thereof. Specific polymers in include low-density polyethylene (“LDPE”), linear low density polyethylene (“LLDPE”), polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (“EVOH). In alternative embodiments, the food grade polymers can withstand heating, refrigeration and freezing without adversely impacting the storage capabilities of the polymer materials.

In an embodiment, the film walls of the multi-chambered food container include a multilayer structure as follows: AIOx coated PET/Adhesive/Biaxially oriented Nylon/Adhesive/LDPE/EVOH/mPE coextruded. In another embodiment, the frangible or peelable seal can be made using a multilayer polymer blend containing LDPE/LLDPE/EVOH/PE Blend/LDPE.

In an embodiment, any of the peelable seals are activated by a force (e.g. amount of force necessary to open the seal) ranging from about 1 N/15 mm to about 45 N/15 mm. In another embodiment, any of the peelable seals are activated by a force ranging from about 5 N/15 mm to about 35 N/15 mm, such as, for example, 6 N/15 mm, 8 N/15 mm, 10 N/15 mm, 12 N/15 mm, 14 N/15 mm, 16 N/15 mm, 18 N/15 mm, 20 N/15 mm, 22 N/15 mm, 24 N/15 mm, 26 N/15 mm, 28 N/15 mm, 30 N/15 mm, 32 N/15 mm, 34 N/15 mm and the like.

Peelable seals 50 and 150 and second peelable seal 180 can have any suitable width and shape. In an embodiment, at least a portion of peelable seals 50 and 150 and/or second peelable seal 180 includes a shape such as, for example, semicircular, rectangular, trapezoidal, polygonal or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a container having a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber has a food base and the second chamber has a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof. As used herein, the food base refers a primary food that can covered or coated with an additional food component such as those previously described herein. The food base can be, for example, meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries or a combination thereof. The first chamber is closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal. A peelable seal separates the first and the second chambers.

It should be appreciated that multi-chambered containers having more than 2 storage chambers can be made in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the multi-chambered containers can have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more storage chambers.

In an alternative embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of making a food product. The method comprises providing a container having a first chamber and a second chamber with the first chamber closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal. The container also has a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The first chamber is empty and the second chamber includes a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders or a combination thereof.

The method further comprises opening the first chamber by opening the recloseable seal, placing a food base in the first chamber and closing the food base in the first chamber. The peelable seal can then be opened so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product. In an embodiment, the multi-chambered food container is heated (e.g. in a microwave or oven), refrigerated or frozen to further prepare the food product. The method can further comprise opening the first chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer. Alternatively, the consumer can take the container to eat on the go or to bring home and eat in the near future. It should be appreciated that the multi-chambered food container can initially be heated, refrigerated or frozen prior to opening the peelable seal or adding a food base to the empty chamber.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of making a food product. The method comprises providing a container having a first chamber and a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers. The first chamber has a food base such as, for example, meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries or a combination thereof and the second chamber has a food component such as, for example, sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders or a combination thereof.

The method further comprises opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product. The multi-chambered food container can then be heated (e.g. in a microwave or oven), refrigerated or frozen to further prepare the food product. The first chamber or the second chamber can then be opened and the mixed food product served to a consumer. Alternatively, the multi-chambered food container can initially be heated, refrigerated or frozen prior to opening the peelable seal.

The containers in alternative embodiments of the present disclosure can be fabricated using standard sealing techniques. For example, the container can be typically formed by placing one or more polymeric film plies forming the first sidewall and second sidewall of the container body in registration by their peripheral portions and sealing their periphery to form a liquid tight pouch having an outer permanent seal.

The inner peelable seal(s) can be fabricated using methods known in the art. In addition, the container can be filled at one end with the food component and then the peelable seal fabricated on the container to separate the food component chamber from an empty chamber.

EXAMPLES

By way of example and not limitation, the following examples are illustrative of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Food Component in Food Base to be Added to Empty Chamber Chamber Buffalo Sauce Chicken Wings Buffalo Sauce Chicken Tenders Buffalo Sauce Chicken Strips Buffalo Sauce Chicken Breasts Buffalo Sauce Popcorn Shrimp Buffalo Sauce Shrimp Buffalo Sauce Steak Buffalo Sauce Pork Buffalo Sauce Vegetables Honey BBQ Sauce Chicken Wings Honey BBQ Sauce Chicken Tenders Honey BBQ Sauce Chicken Strips Honey BBQ Sauce Chicken Breasts Honey BBQ Sauce Popcorn Shrimp Honey BBQ Sauce Shrimp Honey BBQ Sauce Steak Honey BBQ Sauce Pork Honey BBQ Sauce Vegetables Honey BBQ Sauce Ribs Honey BBQ Sauce Salmon Honey BBQ Sauce Seafood Teriyaki Sauce Chicken Wings Teriyaki Sauce Chicken Tenders Teriyaki Sauce Chicken Strips Teriyaki Sauce Chicken Breasts Teriyaki Sauce Popcorn Shrimp Teriyaki Sauce Shrimp Teriyaki Sauce Steak Teriyaki Sauce Pork Teriyaki Sauce Vegetables Teriyaki Sauce Ribs Teriyaki Sauce Salmon Teriyaki Sauce Seafood Marinade - Flavor Chicken Marinade - Flavor Steak Marinade - Flavor Seafood Marinade - Flavor Fish Marinade - Flavor Pork Marinade - Flavor Vegetables

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A container comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber; and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the second chamber comprises a food component.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is empty.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is closed on one side by a recloseable seal.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the recloseable seal is closed on one side by a permanent seal.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein a portion of the permanent seal defines at least one notch.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is closed on one side by a second peelable seal.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 1 N/15 mm to about 45 N/15 mm.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 5 N/15 mm to about 35 N/15 mm.
 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 10 N/15 mm to about 20 N/15 mm.
 11. The container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the peelable seal comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of semicircular, rectangular, trapezoidal, polygonal, and combinations thereof.
 12. A container comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber being closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal; and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the first chamber comprises a food base and the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof.
 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the food base is selected from the group consisting of meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries and combinations thereof.
 14. A method of making a food product, the method comprising: providing a container comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is closed on a side opposite the second chamber by a recloseable seal, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the first chamber is empty and the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof; opening the first chamber; placing a food base in the first chamber and closing the food base in the first chamber; and opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising opening the first chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the food base is selected from the group consisting of meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries and combinations thereof.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the recloseable seal is closed on one side by a permanent seal.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first chamber is closed on one side by a second peelable seal.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the peelable seal is activated by a force ranging from about 1 N/15 mm to about 45 N/15 mm.
 20. A method of making a food product, the method comprising: providing a container comprising: a first chamber and a second chamber, and a peelable seal separating the first and the second chambers, wherein the first chamber comprises a food base selected from the group consisting of meats, fishes, vegetables, fruit, pasta, pastries and combinations thereof and the second chamber comprises a food component selected from the group consisting of sauces, gravies, liquids, granules, powders and combinations thereof; opening the peelable seal so that the food component in the second chamber mixes with the food base in the first chamber to form a mixed food product; and opening at least one of the first chamber and the second chamber and serving the mixed food product to a consumer. 